taga ibaan ako: Lakbay Barangay Ng JMY: Heeding The Call Of Saint Joseph Marello

Joseph Marello Youth in Lakbay Barangay.

For so many years, Joseph Marello Youth (JMY), Ibaan Saint James The Greater Parish’ overall youth organization, has been heeding the call of Saint Joseph Marello to be in the service of God. The group has served as the catalyst in bringing the youth closer to God by making them part of different of religious and liturgical activities. Needless to say, the whole community of Ibaan is beginning to feel and appreciate the group’s presence. Proof of which was JMY’s superb performance of “Panuluyan” last December 2011.

JMY is not necessarily an elite group of selected few young Ibaenos. Others may look at that way, as if one still needs to go through some rigid initiation process to become a member. It shouldn’t be mistaken. Such definition of the group goes far beyond its raison de etre. JMY exists for nothing but to serve as the youth’s bridge in fulfilling their purpose of becoming the next generation’s pillars of faith and service to God and fellowmen.

Thus, the group never gets tired of encouraging youth from different barangays to become one of them. They do this through “Lakbay Barangay” wherein their senior members, along with other members, visit barangays like heaven’s emissaries on a mission to open the hearts of the youth of the community. Through coordination with Barangay Liturgical Committee, the youth, with age ranging from seven (7) years old to eighteen years old, were usually met at the Barangay Chapel. From there on, JMY’s mission begins.

JMY Vice President Ms. Rose has been with the group for 18 years now.

One of the most touching part of the program is the presentation of animation and clips from various religious movies that are sure to touch the heart of the attendees. Most of the time, “The Passion of Christ” movie clips takes center stage. This also serves as the basis in discussion in every session. Participants were also given a small pamphlet which contains Saint Joseph Marello’s life, prayers and journey. It also served as participants’ personal reflection notebook where they can write what think and feel in between sessions.

This year, with the theme “Isang layunin, isang patutunguhan, Kabataang JOSE MARELLO, magkakaisa sa paglilingkod”, all of Ibaan’s 26 barangays were grouped into five (5) clusters. Youth from different barangays belonging to one cluster were then brought and invited to be at an identified chapel which basically sits at the middle of the clustered barangays. This was done to also promote camaraderie and brotherhood among participants from different barangays.

Participants from Cluster 4 in Sabang Chapel.

Lakbay Barangay 2012 started last January 14, 2012 at Tulay Chapel as JMY’s starting point. In an average, there were around twenty (20) to fifty (50) kids and adolescents attending each session. Their number appears to be promising and could be a welcome development for the group’s efforts. However, as what the Bible says, “many were called, but few were chosen”. However which way, JMY only hopes to bring in youthful souls who can stay and continue to become part of the group and can live up to the reason and purpose of Joseph Marello Youth.

Below were the program and schedule of JMY’s Lakbay Barangay that has just concluded last January 29, 2012 at Salaban 1 Chapel.

Schedule of Lakbay Barangay 2012

January 14, 2012

Cluster 1

Poblacion – Ibaba

Poblacion – Centro

Poblacion – Masaya

Pobalcion – Matatag

Poblacion – Pag-asa

Rotonda

Talaibon

Don Pedro Subdivision